"F---ing white c---": Noel Pearson abuse allegations fly

QUEENSLAND education minister Kate Jones says she was once called a "f---ing white c---" by Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson, in 2009 when she was environment minister.

It comes as the Aboriginal leader's Good to Great Schools Australia project comes under scrutiny by the ABC amid claims it had a culture of intimidation.

Cape York nurse Barbara Shephard, who worked in the small town of Coen for 48 years, told ABC she was called "a f---ing white c--- and an interfering bitch".

A spokeswoman for Mr Pearson denies he made the remark to Ms Jones or Ms Shephard.

The ABC is reporting that Education Queensland director-general Jim Watterson wrote to Mr Pearson in June this year, to complain that he was called an "arse coverer", "maggot" and a "bucket of s---" by the Good to Great Schools founder.

"Where I draw the line, however, is when similarly intimidating and abusive behaviour is directed towards my staff," Mr Watterson wrote.

Mr Pearson's fury is understood to have been in response to the Queensland Government's handling of the Cape York Academy's Aurukun school which was shut down earlier this year after staff were threatened.

The school is run in partnership with Good to Great Schools.

Ian Mackie, a former assistant director-general of Indigenous education, said many were frightened to disagree or voice concerns about Mr Pearson's behaviour.

He said he was called a "f---ing maggot" -- a claim Mr Pearson's team admits.

"Noel has considerable political power. People are timid in responding to him.," Mr Mackie told the ABC.

Mr Pearson is known as a brilliant public speaker, who has long campaigned to improve Aboriginal communities.